Rain Stops Bangladesh‑China Quarterfinal, Bangladesh Secures Semi Spot by Ranking

Heavy showers forced the cancellation of the women’s cricket quarter‑final between Bangladesh and China at the 2026 Asian Games, allowing Bangladesh to move straight into the semi‑finals. The match, due to begin on September 17 at the Korogi Sports Park, was abandoned without a toss after the outfield remained excessively damp despite a brief break in the rain.

Officials ruled the pitch unplayable, and under the tournament’s regulations the team with the higher ICC Women’s T20 ranking advanced. Bangladesh, ranked 10th globally, overtook China, which sits at 36th, earning a place in the last four.

Bangladesh will now face the winner of the India‑Japan quarter‑final scheduled for September 20. India, the reigning Asian Games champion after its 2023 gold‑medal performance in Hangzhou, and host Japan both entered the knockout stage automatically.

Other quarter‑finals feature Sri Lanka against Malaysia and Pakistan versus Thailand, with the two winners set to clash in the second semi‑final. Cricket’s inclusion marks its fourth stint at the Asian Games, after appearances in Guangzhou 2010, Incheon 2014 and Hangzhou 2023, where India claimed gold in both the men’s and women’s tournaments.